【推荐1】Readers living in the 21^st century should be grateful for Dr. Seuss. And for Beverly Cleary. And for Margaret Wise Brown. It should go without saying that the best children’s literature is every bit as rich and rewarding in its concerns, as honest and stylish in execution, as the best adult literature—and also as complicated, stubborn, conflicted, and mysterious. Like any worthwhile art, great children’s books are capable of speaking in many different ways to many different audiences. You and I might each take something very different away from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, just as we might from Invisible Man or La Dolce Vita.

Reading children’s books is sheer pleasure, not just to whatever children you have on hand but also for your own enjoyment and enlightenment. As Ursula K. Le Guin wrote, “Revisiting a book loved in childhood may be principally an act of nostalgia; I knew a woman who read The Wizard of Oz every few years because it ‘made her remember being a child.’ But returning after a decade or two to The Snow Queen, you may well discover a book far less simple and unambiguous than the one you remembered. That shift and deepening of meaning can be a revelation both about the book and yourself.”

One of the unexpected joys of parenthood, for me, was re-encountering books that I had loved and that, much to my relief, I found I still loved. Reading bedtime stories to my kids was—not always, but often—like revisiting a favorite old neighborhood after many years and finding not only that it hadn’t been chain-stored into submission or paved over altogether but that it was far more interesting and complex than I knew.

I had vivid childhood memories of Dr. Seuss, but I was surprised by just how aggressive some of his stories are. Many Seuss characters seem to be expressing anger or frustration in a way that might strike a parent as very—even too—familiar. I had vivid memories of Beverly Cleary’s suburban comedies, too, but I was struck and moved, as I read the stories to my kids more or less sequentially, by the deepening emotional richness of her novels, as her focus shifts from Henry Huggins, and his god, Ribsy, to the sisters Beezus and Ramona. Her masterpiece, Ramona the Pest, is a psychologically acute study of the girl struggling against social conventions.

Some reunions disappointed. I had loved Curious George as a kid, but 30 years on, I discovered the books carried with them a stale, colonial aroma. I remembered A Wrinkle in Time as gripping, mind-expanding, and spooky, and it was all that, though it also proved preachy.

【推荐2】You might find a few good recommendations helpful when it comes to adding to your reading list.

South to America

by Imani Perry

$26.67

In this story, a native Alabaman returns home and looks at her state with fresh eyes, and learns about the stories and experiences of others she meets along the way. By weaving these stories together, Perry has crafted a book that takes you not only below the Mason-Dixon line but also through the country as a whole.

The Candy House

by Jennifer Egan

$25.20

Bix Bouton has a successful company and is desperate for new ideas. After he joins a conversation group, mostly professors from Columbia, one of whom is experimenting with downloading or externalizing memories, he gets his big new idea—Own Your Unconscious. This technology allows you to get every memory you’ve ever had, and to share every memory in exchange: for access to the memories of others.

The Paris Apartment

by Lucy Foley

$26.67

Jess needs a fresh start and turns to her half-brother, Ben, who lives in Paris, for a place to stay. When she arrives at his apartment, however, he’s not there. Although she comes to the city of lights to escape the past that has been disturbing her, she finds herself enter Ben’s future.

The It Girl

by Ruth Ware

$26.67

April was the first person Hannah met at Oxford. Together, they developed a group of devoted and inseparable friends. One day, April was dead and the murderer was arrested. Now, a decade later, Hannah’s world is rocked when a young journalist presents new evidence that the murderer may have been innocent. As Hannah reconnects with old friends and digs deeper into the mystery of April’s death, she realizes that the friends she thought she knew all have something to hide… including a murder.

【推荐3】Four Magazines Your Kids Won’t Put Down!

In a world where screens are taking over, magazines can be a fun alternative to give our kids’ eyes a rest. There are all kinds of educational/teacher-recommended magazines you can subscribe to that your kids will love. Here is a list of our favorite magazines for kids to start reading today!

National Geographic Kids

We all know and love the adult version of National Geographic with inspiring and interesting stories and images of various cultures and animals around the world. Help your kids discover these same wonders with a subscription filled with fun activities and a range of topics.

Learn more: nationalgeographic.com

Sports Illustrated Kids

Does your kid love sports and nutrition? Or maybe you’re hoping to inspire them to grab a ball and play outside? Regardless, this sports magazine has the latest updates on athletes, health, and fun articles to learn about the life and experiences of sports players presented in a kid-friendly way.

Learn more: sikids.com

The Week Junior

This educational magazine has tons of engaging stories for girls and boys regarding current events and daily life. You can use this magazine as a tool for reading practice and a source for open and educational discussions at the dinner table.

Learn more: theweekjunior.com

Muse Magazine

This magazine subscription is your kid’s ticket to all things science and crafts-related. The weekly publication includes interesting storytelling, science experiments, and engaging activities for your kids to try at home!

Learn more: shop.cricketmedia.com